Static Gravity Field Anomalies

Measuring Water Storage in the Amazon

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GRACE Rendering

GRACE Rendering

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Credit: NASA

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The twin satellites of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on, or GRACE-FO, will track the movement of water around Earth. This short video explains how and why it's impor...

Explaining why GRACE-FO is so important.

Why Is GRACE-FO So Important?

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 4)

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit

Illustration of GRACE-FO (View 4)

Work begins to build NASA’s twin satellites, under construction by Airbus Defense and Space.

NASA’s twin satellites, under construction by Airbus Defense and Space, will be the follow-on spacecraft of the GRACE mission, which have contributed significantly to global climate research since 2002.

Build Commences on GRACE-FO Satellites

GRACE Follow-On continues the critical mission of measuring the movements of mass within and between Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land and ice sheets, as well as below Earth’s surface.

GRACE Follow-On, scheduled to launch in spring 2018, will continue the critical mission of measuring the movements of mass within and between Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land and ice sheets, as well as below Earth’s surface.

GRACE-FO Fact Sheet

GRACE Follow-On will test a Laser Ranging Interferometer to measure intersatellite distance changes with unprecedented precision.

GRACE Follow-On – the future of satellite geodesy. Launching in 2017, this mission will be the first to use a Laser Ranging Interferometer to measure intersatellite distance changes with unprecedented precision.

Laser Ranging Interferometer

Changes in total water storage on Earth in 2007, as measured by GRACE.

Water storage on Earth in 2007

Water Storage on Earth in 2007

GRACE-FO, a collaboration between NASA and German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on on May 22, 2018.

A vertical image of the rocket launching in front of a blue sky.

GRACE-FO Launches

GRACE-FO in a protective shipping container arriving at a new facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

GRACE-FO in a protective shipping container arriving at a new facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

GRACE-FO Arrives at Vandenberg

Flames from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching GRACE-FO into orbit.

A close-up of the flames from the rocket launching GRACE-FO.

GRACE observed Earth’s surface mass changes nearly every month from 2002 to mid-2017. GRACE Follow-On will provide crucial continuity to these observations for the next five years or more.

GRACE observed Earth’s surface mass changes nearly every month from 2002 to mid-2017. GRACE Follow-On will provide crucial continuity to these observations for the next five years or more.

Earth Mass Changes, 2002 to 2017

The GRACE mission launched in 2002, changing our understanding of Earth.

The GRACE mission launched in 2002, changing our understanding of Earth.

15 Years of GRACE

GRACE Flight Trajectory

GRACE Flight Trajectory Illustration

GRACE Flight Trajectory

Many of today’s most pressing climate science challenges hinge on knowing how and where water is moving on Earth. GRACE-FO will continue the successful partnership between NASA and the German...

Image of the spacecraft in orbit over Earth, with the black of space.

GRACE-FO Launch Press Kit

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 5).

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit over Earth.

GRACE-FO in Orbit (View 5)

Between 2002 and 2016, Antarctica shed approximately 125 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.35 millimeters per year.

Between 2002 and 2016, Antarctica shed approximately 125 gigatons of ice per year, causing global sea level to rise by 0.35 millimeters per year.

Antarctic Ice Loss 2002-2016

Illustration of GRACE-FO separating from Falcon 9 rocket after launch.

Illustration of GRACE-FO separating from Falcon 9 rocket after launch.

GRACE-FO Separating from Rocket After Launch

The Laser Ranging Interferometer instrument.

The Laser Ranging Interferometer instrument.

Laser Ranging Interferometer

This image shows the mean annual amplitude of total water storage on Earth in 2007 as measured by GRACE.

This image shows the mean annual amplitude of total water storage on Earth in 2007 as measured by GRACE.

Total Water Storage from GRACE, 2007

The NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft launches onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, May 22, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The rocket carrying GRACE-FO blasts off from the launch pad, with the ocean in the foreground.

GRACE-FO Launches, Ocean View

The twin GRACE-FO satellites will pick up where the GRACE mission (2002-2017) left off, studying our changing planet.

Video reel for media on the GRACE-FO mission to study Earth.

GRACE Follow-On Media Reel

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 3).

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit over Earth.

GRACE-FO in Orbit (View 3)

The rocket carrying GRACE-FO lifts off into a blue sky, with the Pacific Ocean beneath it.

The rocket carrying GRACE-FO lifts off into a blue sky, with the Pacific Ocean beneath it.

GRACE-FO Launch, Sky and Sea

The GRACE-FO satellites are nearly identical. The Microwave Interferometer (MWI) will measure the minute variations in distance between the spacecraft.

The GRACE-FO satellites are nearly identical. The Microwave Interferometer (MWI) will measure the minute variations in distance between the spacecraft.

GRACE-FO Instruments

Illustration of GRACE-FO above Alaska.

Illustration of one spacecraft of GRACE-FO above Alaska, with clouds, ocean and land below.

Illustration of GRACE-FO Above Alaska

Illustration of GRACE-FO in orbit (view 2).

Twin spacecraft of GRACE-FO in orbit over Earth.

GRACE-FO in Orbit (View 2)

GRACE-FO will measure Atlantic Ocean bottom pressure as an indicator of deep ocean current speed, as GRACE did.

GRACE-FO will measure Atlantic Ocean bottom pressure as an indicator of deep ocean current speed, as GRACE did. This pattern of above-average (blue) and below-average (red) seafloor pressure in 2009 GRACE data revealed a temporary slowing of deep ocean currents.

Ocean Bottom Pressure

This map from September 2015 shows deep drought in California, Nevada and Texas.

While the GRACE mission was active, scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center generated groundwater and soil moisture drought indicators like this every week from GRACE data on terrestrial water storage and other observations, using a numerical model of land surface water and energy processes.

Groundwater Drought Indicator

The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows one of the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 3).&nb...

The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows one of the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 3).

GRACE-FO Satellites in Testing

Illustration of GRACE-FO above Antarctica.

Illustration of GRACE-FO above Antarctica.

GRACE-FO Above Antarctica

A simplified example of how the distance between the GRACE-FO satellites changes as they pass from the Caribbean Sea across Colombia and Peru.

A simplified example of how the distance between the GRACE-FO satellites changes as they pass from the Caribbean Sea across Colombia and Peru (which have higher mass than the oceans) to the Pacific Ocean. Panel 1: When both spacecraft are over the ocean, the distance between them is relatively constant.

How GRACE-FO Measures Gravity

Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space poster

Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space exhibit

Measuring Earth's Gravity from Space Poster

3-2-1 liftoff of Falcon 9 with GRACE-FO! The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on, or GRACE-FO, a collaboration between NASA and German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) launched f...

GRACE-FO launches aboard a Falcon 9.

GRACE-FO Launches Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9

GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) continues the legacy of GRACE, tracking Earth’s water movement and surface mass changes across the planet. Monitoring changes in ice sheets and glaciers, near-surfa...

GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) continues
the legacy of GRACE, tracking Earth’s water movement and surface mass
changes across the planet. Monitoring changes in ice sheets and glaciers,
near-surface and underground water storage, the amount of water in large
lakes and rivers, as well as changes in sea level and ocean currents provides
an integrated global view of how Earth’s water cycle and energy balance are
evolving.

GRACE-FO Mission Brochure

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is seen with the NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft onboard at Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California...

The SpaceX Falcon 9 that will carry GRACE-FO to orbit sits on the launchpad.

GRACE-FO in Falcon 9 on Launchpad

Changes in Australia's mass observed by GRACE in 2010 and 2011. Areas in greens and blues had the greatest increases in mass, caused by unusually high precipitation connected with a large La Ni...

Changes in Australia's mass observed by GRACE in 2010 and 2011. Areas in greens and blues had the greatest increases in mass, caused by unusually high precipitation connected with a large La Niña event.

Changes in Australia's Mass Observed by GRACE in 2010 and 2011

GRACE-FO mission logo

Variations in water storage in the Tigris and Euphrates river basins from 2003 to 2009, measured by GRACE. Reds represent drier conditions, while blues represent wetter conditions. The majority of ...

Variations in water storage in the Tigris and Euphrates river basins from 2003 to 2009, measured by GRACE. Reds represent drier conditions, while blues represent wetter conditions. The majority of the water lost was due to reductions in groundwater caused by human activities.

Tigris and Euphrates Water Storage, 2003 to 2009

The signal of the December 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean in GRACE observations of Earth's gravity field.

The signal of the December 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean in GRACE observations of Earth's gravity field.

GRACE Sees Earthquake in Indian Ocean

While the two spacecraft of the GRACE-FO mission go through testing at the IABG facitilty in Germany, engineers deploy the S-Band antenna boom to ensure that it works.

While the two spacecraft of the GRACE-FO mission go through testing at the IABG facitilty in Germany, engineers deploy the S-Band antenna boom to ensure that it works.

Airbus Tests GRACE-FO Antenna Boom

GRACE-FO arriving at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, from Germany.

GRACE-FO arriving at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, from Germany.

GRACE-FO Arrives at Vandenberg

The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows one of the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 2).&nb...

The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows one of the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 2).

GRACE-FO Satellites During Testing (View 2)

The GRACE-FO satellites, attached to turntable fixtures, at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (view 1).

The GRACE-FO satellites, attached to turntable fixtures, at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

GRACE-FO Satellites, Attached to Turntable Fixtures

A long exposure of the GRACE-FO launch from Vandenberg

The rocket's blaze is seen across the sky in this long exposure view with the ocean in the foreground.

GRACE-FO Launch, Long Exposure

A map of groundwater storage trends for Earth's 37 largest aquifers using GRACE data, showing depletion and replenishment in millimeters of water per year.

A map of groundwater storage trends for Earth's 37 largest aquifers using GRACE data, showing depletion and replenishment in millimeters of water per year.

Map of Groundwater Storage Trends for Earth's 37 Largest Aquifers

Depletion of groundwater in northwestern India between 2002 and 2008, measured by GRACE.

Depletion of groundwater in northwestern India between 2002 and 2008, measured by GRACE.

Groundwater Depletion in India, 2002-2008

The rainy and dry seasons in the Amazon Basin in 2004, revealed by gravity anomalies observed by GRACE. Reds and pinks show where and when mass was higher than average, a sign that more water was p...

The rainy and dry seasons in the Amazon Basin in 2004, revealed by gravity anomalies observed by GRACE. Reds and pinks show where and when mass was higher than average, a sign that more water was present, and blues show months when mass was lower.

Rainy and Dry Seasons in the Amazon (2004)

The GRACE-FO satellites, attached to turntable fixtures, at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

The GRACE-FO satellites, attached to turntable fixtures, at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (view 2).

GRACE-FO Satellites at Vandenberg

This animation shows the annual water storage changes over the U.S. from GRACE from 2003 - 2013.

This animation shows the annual water storage changes over the U.S. from GRACE from 2003 - 2013.

Annual Water Storage Changes over the U.S. from GRACE

The two GRACE-FO satellites are seen from GFZ’s Satellite Laser Ranging Station in Potsdam, Germany, on May 23, 2018 at 22:16 UTC and 22:17 UTC, respectively.

The bright lights of the spacecraft are seen against the dark black of space.

GRACE-FO Satellites From Potsdam

For 15 years, the GRACE mission has unlocked mysteries of how water moves around our planet. It gave us the first view of underground aquifers from space, and shows how fast polar ice sheets and mo...

For 15 years, the GRACE mission has unlocked mysteries of how water moves around our planet. It gave us the first view of underground aquifers from space, and shows how fast polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers are melting.

15 Years of GRACE Earth Observations

An artist's rendering of the twin GRACE-FO spacecraft.

An artist's rendering of the twin GRACE-FO spacecraft in orbit around Earth.

GRACE-FO Rendering

The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany. The photo shows the satellites in the testing facility of IABG, an Airbus subcontractor, in Munich (view 1).

The GRACE-FO satellites were assembled by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany.

GRACE-FO Satellites During Testing

Research based on GRACE observations indicates that between 2002 and 2016, Greenland shed approximately 280 gigatons of ice per year.

Mass of the Greenland ice sheet has rapidly declined in the last several years. Research based on observations from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites indicates that between 2002 and 2016, Greenland shed approximately 280 gigatons of ice per year.

Greenland Ice Loss 2002-2016

Gravity anomaly map using GRACE data.

Gravity anomaly map using GRACE data.

Gravity Anomaly Map Using GRACE Data

The NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences GRACE Follow-On spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The rocket carrying GRACE-FO blasts off from the launch pad.

GRACE-FO Launches, Wide Shot

The GRACE Intermediate Field 48 (GIF48 from UT-CSR) field model is an improved mean gravity field that combines GRACE observations and terrestrial gravity information.

The GRACE Intermediate Field 48 (GIF48 from UT-CSR) field model is an improved mean gravity field that combines GRACE observations and terrestrial gravity information The terrestrial gravity information was taken from the DTU10 global gravity field. Shown here are the so-called free air gravity deviations from an ideal ellipsoidal Earth model, in units of milli-gal. Areas colored yellow, orange, or red are areas where the actual gravity field is larger than the featureless-Earth model predicts, while the progressively darker shades of blue indicate places where the gravity field is less.

Static Gravity Field Anomalies

GRACE-Follow On (GRACE-FO) is a satellite mission scheduled for launch in May 2018. GRACE-FO will continue the work of the GRACE satellite mission tracking Earth's water movement around the glo...

Video for the GRACE-FO mission.

Tracking Water from Space

A GRACE-FO satellite and its turntable fixture at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

A GRACE-FO satellite and its turntable fixture at the Astrotech Space Operations processing facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

GRACE-FO Satellite on a Turntable Before Launch

Illustration of GRACE-FO gravity data over Africa.

Illustration of GRACE-FO gravity data over Africa.

GRACE-FO Gravity Data Over Africa

NASA JPL-UC Irvine glaciologist Eric Rignot explains how glaciers in West Antarctica are changing.

NASA JPL-UC Irvine glaciologist Eric Rignot explains how glaciers in West Antarctica are changing.

West Antarctic Collapse

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GRACE Follow-On has resumed collecting data after completing a switchover to a backup system.

GRACE-FO Resumes Data Collection

GRACE-FO Resumes Data Collection

NASA's GRACE-FO team plans to switch to a backup system in the Microwave Instrument on one of the twin spacecraft this month.

GRACE-FO Satellite Switching to Backup Instrument Processing Unit

GRACE-FO Satellite Switching to Backup Instrument Processing Unit

The laser ranging interferometer (LRI) instrument has been successfully switched on aboard the recently launched twin U.S./German Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) satellites.

First Laser Light for GRACE Follow-On

First Laser Light for GRACE Follow-On

Antarctic ice losses have tripled since 2012, raising global sea levels by 0.12 inch (3 millimeters) in that timeframe alone, finds a new NASA/ESA-funded climate assessment.

Ramp-Up in Antarctic Ice Loss Speeds Sea Level Rise

Ramp-Up in Antarctic Ice Loss Speeds Sea Level Rise

GRACE-FO has completed its first mission phase and demonstrated the performance of the precise ranging system that enables its measurements of how mass migrates around Earth.

GRACE-FO Turns on ‘Range Finder,’ Sees Mountain Effects

GRACE-FO Turns on ‘Range Finder,’ Sees Mountain Effects

All flight and ground systems have performed well throughout the Launch and Early Operations Period. The accelerometer and microwave science instruments have been powered on successfully and the two satellites are in relative pointing mode.

Latest Spacecraft Status

Latest Spacecraft Status